I’ve hit my lifetime limit of cooking reality shows, but I would love to see one more: A super-respected chef such as Thomas Keller or Michael Mina, preparing food for a pack of food-averse demanding children.

And later that day received an e-mail from the chef/restuarateur. It was sent to me, but I think it was meant for all our readers. I’m printing the note in its entirety below …

Peter,

I enjoyed reading your tales of parental cooking adventures and found myself laughing aloud. I know all too well what it’s like to cook for kids with my two growing (and hungry) boys, Sammy, 16 and Anthony, 12. What I can tell you is that it’s not much easier being a chef, and I’m fairly certain I could learn a thing or two from you and your readers as I’ve never made Obama-shaped pizza!

I did want to share with you one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned over the years cooking for my kids – there is enormous value in bringing children into the kitchen. This small act not only helps to change their mindset from “what’s for dinner” to “what are we making for dinner” but teaches them to respect food for both its nourishment and experience. Food feeds both the body and soul – there are clear reasons to eat a balanced diet but there are also reasons you cling to your mom’s secret chicken noodle soup recipe when you’re sick.

Bringing your kids into the kitchen doesn’t require you to be a top chef, only time, and maybe a willingness to get a little messy. You’ve got an opportunity to bond with your kids through cooking – you might be teaching or you might be learning right alongside with them and they will gain independence in learning to make a meal on their own (you may even get breakfast in bed one morning if you’re lucky). It’s also a great way for kids to harness their creativity, teach them the basics but also encourage them to experiment with tastes they like. It also doesn’t hurt that cooking can help burn off some of that energy– have you ever whipped cream by hand?

Try it out one weekend, head out to dinner one night and try something new. The next night, stay home and try to make your own version of what you had at a restaurant – try a new exotic ingredient or a twist on a classic.

I hope this inspires you and your readers to have fun with your kids.

Here’s to a dinner free of presidential-shaped pizza!

Michael

Minaxx

(Photo: Stephen Lam/Special to the Chronicle)

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While I have no apologies for my freaking awesome Obama pizza, I thought this was excellent advice. I can think of a couple of times where I let my kids make breakfast or dinner on their own — with some “Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving” combination like garbanzo beans, pretzels and jelly beans — but it was mostly for comedic value. We very rarely collaborate as equals in the kitchen.

I’ve maintained a tradition of making sure we have a great meal for playoff games and on Sundays when the 49ers play. I think we’ll let the kids take the lead this weekend when the Warriors start their playoff run.

Very cool of Michael Mina to write in. With this letter, he has officially cemented his role as the Bay Area’s restaurant Yoda. Thanks for taking the time!

PETER HARTLAUB is the pop culture critic at the San Francisco Chronicle and founder of this parenting blog. Follow him on Twitter @PeterHartlaub. Friend the The Poop on Facebook.